Dish-tray



(No Model) 0. SUTHERLUND;

DISH TRAY.

No. 585,410. Patented June'29, 1897".

NlTED STATES OLOF SUTHERLUND, OF RUTLAND, NORTH DAKOTA.

DISH-TRAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 585,410, dated June 29, 1897.

Application filed December 14, 1896. Serial No. 615,647. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLOF SUTHERLUND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rutland, in the county of Sargent and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in DishTrays; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to trays for dishes, &c., and has for its object to provide in one article a receptacle for dishes, cups and saucers, knives, plates, &c., the said tray being provided with separate compartments for receiving the different articles. a

The idea of the invention is to facilitate the carrying of tableware in general to and from the table without necessitating a number of trips back and forth between the cupboard and the table.

To this end the invention consists of an improved tray embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the improved tray. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same.

Similar numerals designate corresponding parts in both figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the main body of the tray, which is formed, preferably, of sheet metal, having its edge upturned to form a rim or guard 2 for preventing the dishes from sliding therefrom. At or near each end of the tray is rigidly secured a U-shaped frame 3, the depending terminal portions of which are connected in any convenient manner to the rim 2 at opposite sides of the tray. These frames are connected rigidly by means of a longitudinal bar 4, eX- tending between the same.

At or near diagonally opposite corners of the tray are arranged cup receptacles or holders 5, each being formed, preferably, of sheet metal bent around in substantially cylindrical form and of sufficient size to contain the requisite supply of cups nested one within and upon the other. Each of the cup-receptacles is provided upon the outside with a door or tlap 6, which is hinged at one edge to the main body of the cup-receptacle and provided at its front edge with a hinge 7, pivotally connected to the door or flap and adapted to engage with a keeper 8 on the receptacle at the edge of the door-opening.

9 and 10 designate receptacles for knives, forks, spoons, and other similar articles. These receptacles are in the form of rectangular trays and are preferably constructed from sheet metal and connected at adjacent edges by means of a hanger 11, which may be formed integrally with one of the receptacles or which may be in the form of a separate strip united at its edges to both the receptacles. This hanger 11 is fitted over one of the U-shaped frames 3, and said receptacles are further provided with lips 12, which are bent so as to extend over and embrace the connecting-bar 4 and the upper bar of one of the U-shaped frames, thus supporting said receptacles upon the framework above the tray proper. These receptacles for the knives, forks, and spoons may be fastened permanently on the frame or may be detachably mounted thereon, as may be preferred.

The tray above described will save a great deal of trouble and annoyance in transferring the dishes and tableware in general from the cupboard to the table and backagain, it being intended to place the dishes, 810., in the tray after being washed, and leavingthe same therein until the time comes for placing the dishes upon the table, when they may all be transferred at one and the same time.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tray for the purpose described, comprising a main body portion having a surrounding rim and receptacles for cups, 820., arranged at suitable points on the tray and extending upward therefrom, said receptacles being substantially cylindrical in form and each provided at one side with a door which may be opened for the introduction or removal of the articles adapted to be placed therein, substantially as described.

2. A tray for the purpose described, comprising a body'portion having a surrounding rim, U-shaped frames extending above said tray and united thereto, and also connected as described,and receptacles for knives, forks, spoons, 850., said receptacles being in the form of rectangular trays and provided at their edges With lips which extend over and embrace the top bars of said frames, whereby the said receptacles are superposed above the tray proper, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The herein-described tray, comprising the main body having a surrounding rim, U shaped frames extending above said tray and connected thereto'at spaced points, a rigid connection between said frames, receptacles for cups, saucers, &c., arranged at diagonally opposite corners of the tray and provided With lateral] y-openin g doors, and independent receptacles for smaller articles in the shape of trays, the latter being connected together and supported upon the upper portion of the superposed frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I- have signed this specification in the presence of tWo subscribin g Witnesses.

OLOF SUTHERLUND.

WVitnesses:

LEWIS EvENs, P. O. BOLIN. 

